Global human trafficking roundup (December 14, 2010)

NORTH AMERICA

Florida: A couple were sentenced to 51 months and 78 months in jail for labor exploiting at least 39 Filipino workers. They forced the workers into labor with the threat of deportation and arrest. According to the report, 28 workers slept in one house, and some of them slept on the kitchen floor.

Georgia: The U.S. Marshall captured two fugitives at Tempa Florida. They were listed on America's most wanted in connection to the homicide case in Georgia. They are accused of killing and shooting a recruited prostitute who later ran away from them. The charges against them including murder, sex trafficking of minor, running a prostitution ring, etc.

Colorado: A state senator wants to open a class to educate johns who were arrested for soliciting prostitution. He argued that the new bill will allow johns to be educated on harmful side of sex industry on prostituted women and human trafficking victims. He also argue that after taking the class, johns will not go back to solicit prostitution. The class will also be available to first time offenders as plea bargain that would dismiss the charge if they complete the program.

EUROPE

Denmark: Denmark opted out from signing EU human trafficking directive. The authority argued that the agreement should be based on the decision among the member of union states, which would be a long process. Meanwhile, media slammed on the authority's opt-out on EU human trafficking directive arguing that the opt-out may cause Denmark to become a hub of human trafficking.

ASIA

Taiwan: Police busted Asia's largest human trafficking ring. The ringleader profited from more than 30 cases of human trafficking in the past, according to the report. The arrest was a result of cooperation among the law enforcement in Hong Kong, UK, the U.S., and Thailand. The police arrested seven members of human trafficking and summoned seven others for questioning.

China: Shelter manager arrested for selling homeless as forced labor. Some of the homeless people were mentally disabled. The investigation began after the police visited a factory, where the homeless people with mental disability were working. The shelter manager allegedly sold 11 residents to the factory.